What time to arrive at DCA prior to a domestic flight?

[Anonymous]

What time does security open at DCA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What time does security open at DCA?

I just looked it up to answer my own question. TSA opens at 4 am. I suppose you could get in line earlier than that but not sure it is really necessary. You don't really need to be at the gate until 30 minutes before so even if there is a long line because there aren't very many lanes open it shouldn't be more than 30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Honestly that early you could probably swing a 4:15 arrival time assuning precheck no bags and curbside drop off but you’d be sweating.

[Anonymous]

In my recent experience, one hour is enough, but only if you're not planning to buy airport coffee, because lines can be long.

[Anonymous]

If you aren’t checking bags and have Clear, I feel an hour is enough

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly that early you could probably swing a 4:15 arrival time assuning precheck no bags and curbside drop off but you’d be sweating.

This is what I’d do with no bags and clear. Enough time to get through security and grab a water. I hate waiting at the gate.

[Anonymous]

I have a 5am flight to Calgary, not direct with luggage. Think 3:30 arrival is sufficient, given TSA opens at 4?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5am flight to Calgary, not direct with luggage. Think 3:30 arrival is sufficient, given TSA opens at 4?

4:00 is fine. There is no passport control.

[Anonymous]

For those wondering, I wasn't sure there were flights that early from DCA, but turns out American has 3 at 5 AM sharp- to Charlotte, Miami and Dallas. After that none until 6 AM, when there are many more that start going out (18 between 6:00 and 6:15).

[Anonymous]

There’s an app called MyTSA where you can look up estimated wait times at whatever airport for the day of the week and time you plan to fly.

[Anonymous]

I would do 4.15 if not checking a bag. Anything more than aan hour is crazy.

[Anonymous]

The trip there is going to be the problem - not airport time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never been to DCA more than 1 hour prior. But we have Clear and Precheck.

Same. Even without precheck I would at most get there an hour and 15 minutes prior. DCA is a nice compact little airport.